We photographed Tori and DJ’s engagement session at Ole Gilliam Park in Sanford recently, and totally fell in love with both them and the location they chose! This rustic property provided the most beautiful setting for their rustic chic engagement. The park is filled with really cool old cabins, industrial farming equipment, and a really pretty dock that overlooks the grounds. Seriously – it was perfect for these two!
Tori and DJ basically grew up together and this sweet couple definitely had tons of chemistry! They were so much fun to work with…and I think David and I are even more excited for their big day after spending an evening with them!

How did you and DJ meet?
“DJ and I met at Tramway Elementary School in 3rd grade. The first day of 3rd grade he told his aunt Vicky that I was the prettiest girl he had ever seen! I had no idea until about 3 and a half years ago when we started dating and she told me! We were always friends but kind of lost touch through high school since we went to different schools. We rekindled our friendship when I was in college based on tweets about awesome Netflix shows. Needless to say, our love for each other & Netflix has grown ever since.”

Where did you go on your first date?
“We went to see GI Joe in DJ’s 1990 Jeep Wrangler, and we were so incredibly awkward the whole time. It was followed by an awkward milkshake run to Cook Out. DJ and I are probably two of the most awkward people in the world, so putting us both together – we knew we were in for it. DJ says all he can remember from our first date is how loud my heels were (…such a man!) After he dropped me off, we talked all night and realized we actually had so much to talk about. After that, we started not even worrying ourselves with distractions like movies and milkshakes, and just rode around in the car for hours every night, talking and laughing until 2am (when I eventually had to sneak back into my house so I wouldn’t wake up my parents!)”

What are you favorite qualities in DJ?
“DJ is the most genuine person I have ever met. He loves everyone and everything with his whole heart. He really cares for everyone he comes into contact with. DJ is just a comfortable person to be around. Although it takes time for him to open up, he feels like home once he does. One of the things I love most about DJ is how much he loves our dogs. They are really like our children and I feel that how people treat animals shows their true selves.”

How did DJ propose to you?
“DJ proposed in a really simple way, which I was totally in love with because we are really simple people. DJ was at home from school for the weekend and I was at work. He had the ring for a few days and was trying to find a way to propose to me. On March 10, 2016, I came home from work and there were probably 200 small candles lit all around my apartment and roses on the counter. DJ got down on one knee as soon as I walked in the door and asked me to marry him! It was just us, and it was the best proposal ever!”

What are your favorite ways to unwind together?

“We really just spend time with our dogs on our days off. We both feel so bad about him being at school during the week and me being at work during the day, that we do not want them to be cooped up all the time. We love chasing them around and taking them on walks. We really just love to relax together laying on the couch, watching movies, and eating popcorn. I love that we can do absolutely nothing but it’s still always a good time. When we aren’t with our dogs, we spend a lot of time with our family. DJ and I both believe that family is the most important thing. We are both really close to our parents, so we like to spend as much time with them as possible.”

What do you admire most in Tori?
“When I think of Tori, I think of someone who is selfless. She’s someone who cares more about the well-being of others than her own. She goes out of her way to make sure that other people are happy. She’s also an animal lover all the way to her core and those are just two of the many things I love about her.”

Tell us about your wedding! What’s been your favorite part of the process so far?
“We are getting married at The Barn at Woodlake Meadows. This was the only venue we went to because we fell in love with it instantly! It’s super rustic which really fits our personalities. It’s a relaxing environment and it has absolutely beautiful scenery! The owners are so nice and laid back – we love people like that. I have changed the colors of our wedding probably 3 times so that is still yet to be determined, haha. (Have I mentioned that I am awful at making decisions?) It sounds cliche, but what we are most excited about is BEING MARRIED! We are so excited to take on life together. Our favorite part of the wedding planning process has definitely been our engagement pictures!! We were seriously so happy when we got in the car after our pictures. I could hardly contain myself. It was such a stress reliever and it made me even more excited to get married. We are so excited for May 27, 2017!!!